U.S. patent application number 13/250445 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for replaceable printing component.
Invention is credited to David B. Novak, Huston W. Rice.
Application Number | 20120019576 13/250445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40580364 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120019576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rice; Huston W. ; et
al. |
January 26, 2012 |
REPLACEABLE PRINTING COMPONENT
Abstract
A replaceable printing component is provided, including a fluid
reservoir, an electrical storage device mounted on the fluid
reservoir, and an identifier stored on the information storage
device, wherein the identifier is fixed based on an initial volume
of fluid stored in the fluid reservoir.
Inventors: |
Rice; Huston W.; (Vancouver,
WA) ; Novak; David B.; (Philomath, OR) |
Family ID: |
40580364 |
Appl. No.: |
13/250445 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11977539 |
Oct 24, 2007 |
8057006 |
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13250445 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
347/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 2/17546
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
347/7 |
International
Class: |
B41J 2/195 20060101
B41J002/195 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A replaceable printing component comprising: a fluid reservoir;
and an information storage device; and an identifier stored on the
information storage device, wherein the identifier is fixed and
specifies a nominal fluid ejection rate.
22. The replaceable printing component of claim 21, wherein the
nominal fluid ejection rate is related to an initial volume of
fluid stored in the fluid reservoir.
23. The replaceable printing component of claim 21, wherein the
information storage device is a non-volatile memory.
24. The replaceable printing component of claim 21, wherein the
information storage device is a one-time writable electrical memory
component.
25. The replaceable printing component of claim 21, wherein the
identifier further specifies different percentages of the nominal
fluid ejection rate for different print modes.
26. A replaceable ink container comprising: an ink reservoir; an
electrical storage device mounted on the ink reservoir; and an
identifier stored on the electrical storage device, wherein the
identifier is fixed and specifies a nominal ink ejection rate based
on an initial volume of ink stored in the ink reservoir.
27. The replaceable ink container of claim 26, wherein the
electrical storage device is a non-volatile memory.
29. The replaceable ink container of claim 26, wherein the
electrical storage device is a one-time writable electrical memory
component.
29. The replaceable ink container of claim 26, wherein the
identifier further specifies different percentages of the nominal
ink ejection rate for different print modes.
30. A replaceable printing component comprising: a fluid reservoir;
and a nonvolitile electrical storage device mounted on the fluid
reservoir, wherein the electrical storage device is a one-time
writable electrical memory component; and an identifier stored on
the information storage device, wherein the identifier is fixed and
specifies a nominal fluid ejection rate based on an initial volume
of ink stored in the fluid reservoir.
31. The replaceable printing component of claim 30, wherein the
identifier further specifies different percentages of the nominal
fluid ejection rate for different print modes.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Ink-jet printers frequently make use of an ink-jet
printhead. Some printing components, such as ink containers and
printheads, may be periodically replaced. Ink containers are
replaced when exhausted. Printheads may be replaced at the end of
printhead life.
[0002] The rate at which fluid such as ink is ejected onto a
substrate influences the print quality level. The more fluid
deposited on the substrate to form an image, the more saturated and
detailed the image will appear, resulting in higher print quality.
On the other hand, if the amount of ink dropped is decreased, the
image formed on the substrate may appear less saturated and/or
detailed, and thus of a lower print quality. In many cases, lower
print quality may be acceptable; hence, draft and economy modes
have long been present in printers and/or print driver software.
Enabling easily-used draft and economy modes may be desirable to
many users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example printing
system, shown with the cover removed, that incorporates removable
printing components in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0004] FIGS. 2A and 2B together depict a schematic representation
of the embodiment of printing system shown in FIG. 1, illustrating
an embodiment of a removable ink container and an embodiment of a
printhead, each containing an electrical storage device storing an
identifier.
[0005] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic block diagram of the embodiment
of the printing system of FIG. 1 shown connected to a host.
[0006] FIG. 4 depicts an example process used to determine a
nominal fluid ejection rate of a replaceable printing component
using a lookup table such as the one shown in FIG. 5 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 5 depicts an example lookup table relating identifiers
to print modes to determine ink depletion levels and/or nominal
fluid ejection rates in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example printing system
10, shown with its cover removed. In this example, printing system
10 is an ink-jet printing system. Other types of printing systems,
such as laser or thermal, also may include disclosed devices,
assemblies and/or apparatus. Further, printing system 10 may be
used in a wide variety of applications such as facsimile machines,
postal franking machines, copiers and large format type printing
systems suitable for use in displays and outdoor signage. For the
purposes of this disclosure, the term "fluid" encompasses all
colors of ink as well as any other fluid used in printing systems.
The term "fluid ejection device" encompasses components such as
printhead 16 or printhead assemblies that are configured to eject
fluid onto a substrate.
[0009] In this example, ink-jet printing system 10 includes a print
mechanism 12 having a plurality of replaceable printing components
14 installed therein. Replaceable printing components 14 include
printheads 16 for selectively depositing fluid such as ink onto a
substrate (not shown) such as paper in response to control signals,
and fluid reservoirs 18 for providing fluid to each printhead 16.
As indicated, each printhead may be fluidically connected to
corresponding fluid reservoirs 18 by a flexible conduit 20.
[0010] Printheads 16 are mounted in a scanning carriage 22, which
may be scanned past print media as the substrate is stepped through
a print zone. As printheads 16 move relative to the substrate,
fluid may be selectively ejected from one or more nozzles disposed
on printheads 16 to form images and text.
[0011] Although printing system 10 (shown in FIG. 1) makes use of
fluid reservoirs 18 which are mounted off of scanning carriage 22,
other configurations are possible. For instance, replaceable ink
containers 18 may be mounted on scanning carriage 22. Printhead 16
and fluid reservoir 18 also may be incorporated into an integrated
printhead assembly. The term "fluid ejection device" is used herein
to describe all such embodiments.
[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device,
printhead assembly and apparatus for controlling fluid ejection
rates based on information contained on replaceable printing
components 14. An identifier may be associated with replaceable
printing component 14.
[0013] The identifier may be any value or indicia communicable to
print mechanism 12 to ensure appropriate print quality. The
identifier may specify, either directly or indirectly, a nominal
fluid ejection rate associated with replaceable printing component
14.
[0014] The nominal fluid ejection rate is the rate at which print
mechanism 12 causes a fluid ejection device (e.g., printhead 16 or
a printhead assembly) to eject fluid onto a substrate such as
paper. In cases where the identifier specifies the nominal fluid
ejection rate directly, the identifier may be a value, such as a
nominal drop volume or a percentage of total possible drop volume.
In other cases, the identifier may be an arbitrary value, such as a
number, which print mechanism 12 or print software driver may
utilize to determine the nominal fluid ejection rate.
[0015] In some embodiments, the identifier may be a value stored in
electrical storage device 38. Electrical storage devices 38 may
also be referred to as information storage devices or memory, and
may be used for storing other information related to the
corresponding replaceable printer components besides the
identifier. As best illustrated in FIG. 2B, a plurality of
electrical contacts 40 may be provided on each replaceable printing
component 14, each contact being electrically connected to
electrical storage device 38. Some electrical storage devices may
comprise a relatively small amount of circuitry. For instance, the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes 2 bits, allowing for four
distinct identifier values. Electrical storage device may be any
type of computer memory, such as non-volatile memory (e.g.,
one-time writable electrical memory components such as EPROM or
EEPROM), one or more fuses, or the like.
[0016] In other embodiments, the identifier may include a
mechanical structure, such a tab or an arrangement of columns
similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,346 or U.S. Patent
Application No. 2002/0041314, both of which are assigned to the
assignee of the present disclosure, and both of which are
incorporate by reference for all purposes. A print mechanism may be
configured to detect such mechanical structures and to calculate a
nominal fluid ejection rate therefrom. In yet other embodiments,
visual components, such as light emitting diodes, barcodes or RFID
tags, may be used to convey the identifier from replaceable
printing component 14 to print mechanism 12.
[0017] In any of the above examples, the identifier associated with
each fluid reservoir 18 may be unique to that particular fluid
reservoir. The particular information conveyed by an identifier
will be discussed in more detail below.
[0018] In some embodiments, the nominal fluid ejection rate may be
related to the initial volume of fluid contained within fluid
reservoir 18. For instance, an economy fluid ejection device may
include a fluid reservoir 18 containing a volume of fluid that is
less than that of a high quality fluid ejection device. However,
the economy fluid ejection device may last as long or longer than
the high quality fluid ejection device because despite having less
fluid, the nominal fluid ejection rate of the economy fluid
ejection device may be less than that of the high quality
device.
[0019] The rate at which print mechanism 12 causes a fluid ejection
device to eject fluid onto a substrate may be adjusted (e.g., to
achieve a nominal fluid ejection rate) in a number of ways. In some
embodiments, the fluid ejection rate may be adjusted by controlling
the size of droplets ejected onto the substrate by one or more
nozzles on a printhead 16 or printhead assembly. Additionally or
alternatively, some embodiments may control the number of droplets
of fluid deposited in square area of a substrate, hereafter
referred to as a "unit square."
[0020] Installation of replaceable printing component 14 into print
mechanism 12 allows print mechanism 12 to obtain the identifier.
The identifier provided from replaceable printing components 14 to
printing mechanism 12 may be used alone or in combination with
other information, such as one or more print quality modes, to
determine the nominal fluid ejection rate at which print mechanism
12 causes printhead 16 or a printhead assembly to eject fluid onto
a substrate.
[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a schematic representation of the
printing system shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified to
illustrate a single printhead 16 and a single fluid reservoir 18
for accomplishing single-color printing. Where more than one color
is desired, a plurality of printheads 16 may be used, each having
an associated fluid reservoir 18 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] Print mechanism 12 may include a fluid reservoir receiving
station 24 and a controller 26. With fluid reservoir 18 properly
inserted into fluid reservoir receiving station 24, an electrical
and a fluidic coupling is established between fluid reservoir 18
and print mechanism 12. The fluidic coupling allows fluid stored
within fluid reservoir 18 to be provided to printhead 16. The
electrical coupling allows information to be passed between fluid
reservoir 18 and print mechanism 12/controller 26, ensuring
appropriate print quality of printing system 10.
[0023] Fluid reservoir 18 may include a fluid outlet 30 that is in
fluid communication with fluid reservoir 18. Fluid outlet 30 may be
configured for connection to a complimentary fluid inlet 32
associated with fluid reservoir receiving station 24.
[0024] Printhead 16 includes a fluid inlet 34 configured for
connection to a complimentary fluid outlet 36 associated with print
mechanism 12. With the printhead properly inserted into scanning
carriage 22 (shown in FIG. 1), fluid communication may be
established between the printhead and fluid reservoir 18 by way of
flexible fluid conduit 20.
[0025] Controller 26 may control the transfer of information
between print mechanism 12 and replaceable printing components 14.
For instance, controller 26 may control the transfer of information
between printhead 16, fluid reservoir 18, and controller 26.
Controller 26 also may control the relative movement of printhead
16 and the substrate, as well as selectively activating printhead
16 to eject ink onto print media at various ejection rates.
[0026] FIG. 3 represents a block diagram of an example printing
system 10 similar to the one shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, shown
connected to an information source or host computer 48. Host 48 is
shown having a print software driver 49 executing thereon and being
connected to a display device 50. Host 48 may be any of a variety
of information sources (such as a personal computer, work station,
or server, to name a few) that provides image information to
controller 26 by way of a data link 52. Data link 52 may be any of
a variety of conventional data links (such as an electrical link,
infrared link, a wide-area or local-area network link, or any other
well-known data link) for transferring information between host 48
and printing system 10. Host 48 may provide image description
information or image data to printing system 10 for forming images
on print media.
[0027] Controller 26 and/or print software driver 49 may include
one or more print quality modes, such as "draft", "normal", and
"best". Print quality modes may be used in conjunction with
identifiers associated with replaceable printing components 14 to
determine the nominal fluid ejection rate. Controller 26 and/or
print software driver 49 may further utilize a lookup table,
contained in the memory of the host 48 or memory (not shown)
associated with the printing system 10, to determine the nominal
fluid ejection rate.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, print mechanism 12 may be
configured to receive at 100 replaceable printing component 14 such
as a printhead assembly, having an identifier associated therewith.
At 102, print mechanism 12 may obtain the identifier from the
replaceable printing component 14. At 104, print mechanism 12 may
determine the nominal fluid ejection rate by relating the
identifier to a lookup table such as the one depicted in FIG. 5.
Alternatively, print software driver 49 executing on a host 48
attached to print mechanism 12 may determine the nominal fluid
ejection rate by relating the identifier to a lookup table
contained in memory associated with the host. At 106, print
mechanism 12 may eject fluid onto a substrate at the nominal fluid
ejection rate to produce an image.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a representation of an example lookup table usable
to relate an identifier to a print mode to obtain a nominal fluid
ejection rate. In this example the identifier includes two bits on
the fluid reservoir 18, the bits being readable by the controller
26. The values in the example table represent percentages of total
possible fluid ejection rates at which to eject fluid onto a
substrate. It should be understood that any value affecting the
fluid ejection rate may utilized in a lookup table according to the
present disclosure.
[0030] There are four possible values achievable with two bits
(seen across the top row): 11, which in this example represents a
high quality fluid ejection device; 10, which represents a standard
quality fluid ejection device; 01, which represents a first type of
depleted fluid ejection device; and 00, which represents a second
type of deplete fluid ejection device configured for lower quality
that the first type. While an identifier having two bits is shown
in FIG. 5, it should be understood that any number of bits may be
used, representing any number of fluid ejection device types.
[0031] Some identifiers such as those shown in FIG. 5 may be stored
in two one-time writeable bits, where the bits are written from 0
to 1, and not vice-versa. In such cases, it may be possible to
modify the bits to arrive at a higher quality level, but not
possible to modify the bits to arrive at a lower quality level; it
may be impossible to modify a high quality fluid ejection device
into a lower quality fluid ejection device as both bits already are
set irreversibly to 1.
[0032] There are four print modes shown in FIG. 5: BEST, which
indicates a high level of print quality; NORMAL, which indicates a
standard or default type of print quality; DRAFT, which represents
a level of print quality somewhat diminished from normal; and
ECONOMY, which represents a lowest print quality level. While four
print modes are shown in FIG. 5, it should be understood that any
number of print quality modes are possible.
[0033] As an illustrative example, a printhead assembly has two
bits programmed as identifier 01, identifying the cartridge as a
first type of depleted fluid ejection device. Likewise, print
mechanism 12 configured to receive the printhead assembly may be
configured to print in DRAFT mode and contains in its memory the
lookup table illustrated in FIG. 4. Upon insertion of the printhead
assembly into the printer, the printer relates the identifier (01)
to the print mode (DRAFT) to ascertain an actual fluid ejection
rate of 65%. If the printer were later adjusted to print in BEST
mode, then the printer would relate the identifier (01) to the
table to calculate an actual fluid ejection rate of 90%.
[0034] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct embodiments of the present
disclosure. While each of these embodiments has been disclosed in
specific form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and
illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as
numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of this
disclosure thus includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and
subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or
properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a"
or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should
be understood to include incorporation of one or more such
elements, possibly having or not having two or more such
elements.
* * * * *